Helix - 31 hours

[Martin Pugh]

Well, even after 31 hours, it still takes a little stretching and the introduction of a little noise to reveal the outermost remnants.

http://www.martinpughastrophotography.id.a u/images/Helix_Ha_31hours.jpg

I am going to add similar exposure in OIII and do a bi-colour on this. I have about 9 hours already, so will keep going. Should prove interesting.

cheers
Martin

[cometcatcher]

31 hours. Strewth. Looking forward to the bi-colour.

[Larryp]

Fantastic!

[h0ughy]

wow thats deep

[RickS]

31 hours is about all the imaging time I'd get in a year :lol:

Looking forward to the bi-colour, Martin.

Cheers,
Rick.

[dvj]

Hi Martin, is this done with the FSQ? I'm going to have to slew over and take a look tomorrow night.

j

[SkyViking]

Very impressive, you've got some serious detail in the outer shells. So with similar amount of OIII added you'll end up with what... 62 hours? :eyepop::thumbsup::D

[troypiggo]

Wow. That's by far the deepest Helix I recall seeing. This promises to be awesome bi-colour!

[CoolhandJo]

Now thats what the Helix looks like! 3d....

[Mighty_oz]

Amazing detail there :) What's it taken with ?

[DJT]

A stunning image. :thumbsup:

[Stevec35]

Another stunner Martin. Beats my effort

Cheers

Steve

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks folks, and yes sorry, dont know why I didnt add the equipment to the post. This was indeed taken with the FSQ106/STL11K - and obviously the FOV is much wider than the image posted.

As far as getting the OIII - well, I will continue to obey the SNR rule - and if 31 hours of OIII do not make the grade - I will get more!

cheers
Martin

[dvj]

Thanks for the info Martin. I'm trying a 40 minute subexposure on this right now to see if I get the very faint, extended shell structures. PL16803.

[Paul Haese]

Going deep there Martin and it must be terrific to have full automation. Still trying to find the time to implement more, cloud has meant precious imaging time is more important. I am continuely astounded at the amount of data you are collecting probably on a nightly basis. Have you had a night where both sites are clouded out?

Look forward to seeing the bicolour.

[strongmanmike]

Have to say this is quite amazing Martin.

I have spent my fair share of time on the Helix so know those outer areas well and how hard they are to reveal. I managed to reveal much of what you have here with 2hrs worth of 5min exp (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/136114176/original)using the AG12 but given the even greater extensions and finer structure in your outer most data, the enourmous exposure time (and certainly superior seeing) has clearly paid off here regardless of the smaller aperture - very cool result :thumbsup:
Sheesh, a 60 hrs BiColour :eyepop:...us manual mortals just can't compete with that :doh::)

Mike

[cventer]

Wow. Amazing shot. Never seen helix look like that. I took some data last night on it with my ag10. Only about 40 minutes though.

That's stunning.

[Martin Pugh]

Thanks again.

Yes Paul, that does occur, but not very often:).

31 hours with an AG12 should show some significant detail Mike...oh for an F3 Riccardi Honders astrograph.....one on the way for me soon I hope.

A string of clear nights ahead (I hope the forecast sticks), so it wont take long to get the additional 20+ hours of OIII.

Clear skies
Martin

[strongmanmike]

Are you going with Officina Stellare now? Their 8" is F3 but I thought you were getting the APRH which is F3.8, same as the AG12..?



Yes...it will take 20hrs...:question: :P

Oh yes...I remember these southern highland clear night runs, I'm glad to back in your neck of the woods ;) (well just about). Being 100% portable, my 33hrs on the Helix in 2009 seriously nearly killed me, sleeping for 60min stints in the car between exposure sets, travelling back and forth to dark skies, going to work without sleep blah blah....:screwy: :help:

[Martin Pugh]

Its the Astro Physics f3.8 I am getting - and I will have to farewell the FSQ106N at that point. :sadeyes:

cheers
Martin

[strongmanmike]

Thought so re the AP, although a 12" F3 would be pretty cool :thumbsup: You could send the FSQ on a holiday down the Barton HWY if you like...just until you find a buyer of course :whistle:

Mike

[alexandre]

hello Martin
I'm very happy to see this image , because she's very beautiful !!: D
it's a very good job !
i wait for impatiently the colors !!: P
The RH is a super telescope for the Nebula !!: Thumbsup:

has soon!;)
@lex

[Ross G]

Amazing detail Martin.

Ross.